A considered mix of materials and lively pops of colour complement the original grandeur of the abode. Plaster mouldings, mirror panelling, neutral-hued walls and herringbone floors form the ideal canvas for artworks, collectibles, and contemporary furniture from the Black Berg collection, which comprises bespoke pieces by Bergman Design House, while bespoke fixtures lend uniqueness and functionality. Light-toned wood, wools and linens add depth, while bespoke rugs by Colbourns, along with wallcoverings from de Gournay and Pierre Frey, lend a tactile, palatial air. The property’s grand front doors, fanlights, stone steps, railings and chimney stacks were also meticulously restored. 

On the first level of the home is the entrance foyer, which leads to the den: an opulent hideaway awash in moody teal hues, and sporting elements of flora and fauna. This contemporary take on a British gentlemen’s club utilises classic shades to make a dramatic statement, topped off by a limited-edition silkscreen poster by British artist Howard Hodgkin and a fireplace in stately Saint Laurent black marble. 

The second floor houses the main reception zone and breezy lounge area, dining room, and an open kitchen and bar. Stepping onto this level, one is greeted by a stunning artwork by Chinese artist Zhuang Hong Yi, which is displayed adjacent to Klibansky’s astronaut sculpture. Utilising impasto brushstrokes of bright colours, which merge and drip over an arrangement of delicate rice-paper flowers, Zhuang’s bold creation appears almost three-dimensional, and changes tonality as one walks past it. “It’s honestly like magic,” enthuses Soliman. “It draws people in and encourages contemplation.” In the lounge, artworks by Soliman hang above two mini bars, each of which features an integrated sound system and flanks a fireplace in Platinum Wave onyx.

The dining area and kitchen are standouts in their own right, and sport touches of wabi-sabi. The table lamps in the dining room feature asymmetrical shards of French agate, each individual precious stone sporting its own shape and character, while the kitchen island is clad in Blue Roma marble slabs, its delicate pastel hue shot through with spidery, dramatic russet-coloured veining. In a corner, a whisky bar wrapped in kaleidoscopic Four Seasons marble slabs catches the eye. The appliances are concealed behind oak-veneer doors; the fluted glass fronts glow with a beautiful ombre effect when illuminated from within at night.

On the topmost floor is the master suite, incorporating a study, ensuite bathroom and dressing room. In the main bedroom, a bespoke headboard by Bergman Design House dominates, complemented by colours such as mocha and pale apricot; the hues on the headboard are also a perfect match for those on the de Gournay Wisteria silk wallcovering applied on the adjacent wall. Elsewhere in the master suite, crushed linen wallcoverings create a natural, imperfect flow and a calming effect. The bathrooms sport a regal vibe with the application of various types of marble: breathtaking bookmatched brown wall slabs and a countertop in the master bathroom, along with a side table in a blue-toned stone, and classic White Picasso marble in the other bath spaces.

The project took 24 months to complete, reaching its conclusion in January 2023. Soliman expressed her satisfaction with the various zones within the abode “due to the different experiences per space”, and singled out the den as her personal favourite. She reveals that the owner was equally pleased with the rejuvenated home. “I believe we found the [perfect] balance between neutrals and colours, and the client loved it,” she declares. “He gave us a hug and a wonderful dinner out!”

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